U.S. patent application number 12/104523 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-27 for container for an automatic injector.
Invention is credited to Andrew G. Pocock, Sophie R. Raven, Grant T.L. Smetham, John G. Wilmot, Matthew E. Young.
Application Number | 20080289984 12/104523 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39875808 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080289984 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Raven; Sophie R. ; et
al. |
November 27, 2008 |
CONTAINER FOR AN AUTOMATIC INJECTOR
Abstract
A container for an automatic injector provides safe, quick, and
easy access to an automatic injector stored therein. The container
includes tactile features that allow a user to easily determine the
orientation of the container by feel alone. A hinged cap with an
automatic spring assist feature allows a user to single-handedly
open the container quickly and easily to remove the injector from
the container without interference from the cap. The container is
structured to receive the automatic injector needle end first and
has a puncture resistant bottom to prevent the needle of the
injector from piercing through the body wall of the container. The
container also provides safe storage of a discharged automatic
injector, with the hinged cap spring assist feature automatically
closing the cap enough to prevent the discharged injector from
falling out of the container.
Inventors: |
Raven; Sophie R.; (Swavesey,
GB) ; Young; Matthew E.; (Over, GB) ; Smetham;
Grant T.L.; (Westcott, GB) ; Pocock; Andrew G.;
(Royston, GB) ; Wilmot; John G.; (Mount Airy,
MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JONES DAY
222 EAST 41ST ST
NEW YORK
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
39875808 |
Appl. No.: |
12/104523 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60925283 |
Apr 18, 2007 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/364 ;
220/367.1; 220/560.01; 220/810 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/0814 20130101;
B65D 61/00 20130101; B65D 25/22 20130101; B65D 59/04 20130101; A61M
5/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/364 ;
220/560.01; 220/367.1; 220/810 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00; B65D 81/00 20060101 B65D081/00; B65D 51/16 20060101
B65D051/16; B65D 51/04 20060101 B65D051/04 |
Claims
1. A container for receiving an automatic injector comprising: a
cylindrically-oval shaped body having an open end and a closed end;
and a cap comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a hinge
connecting the top and bottom portions, the bottom portion affixed
to the open end of the body and the top portion sized and shaped to
close the open end of the body, the hinge responding to an initial
movement of the top portion by automatically moving the top portion
farther in the same direction as the initial movement such that the
top portion either does not interfere with removal of the automatic
injector from the container or prevents the automatic injector from
falling out of the container.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein the hinge comprises a primary
support and a secondary support, the hinge causing the top portion
to automatically open to an angle of at least about 115.degree.
when the top portion is initially opened to an angle of about
85.degree.-95.degree..
3. The container of claim 1 wherein the hinge comprises a primary
support and a secondary support, the hinge causing the top portion
to automatically close to an angle of at least about 30.degree.
when the top portion is initially closed to an angle of about
75.degree.-85.degree..
4. The container of claim 1 wherein the cap has a vent hole.
5. The container of claim 1 wherein the closed end comprises a base
having a raised middle portion to resist puncture through the
closed end by a needle.
6. The container of claim 1 wherein the body has a pair of
contoured areas positioned opposite each other on an exterior
surface of the body, the pair of contoured areas sized and shaped
to facilitate attachment to an attachment device.
7. The container of claim 1 wherein the body has a pair of
contoured areas positioned opposite each other on an exterior
surface of the body, the pair of contoured areas sized and shaped
to facilitate grasping of the container by hand.
8. The container of claim 1 wherein the cap further comprises a
pair of ridges on the inside top portion of the cap to engage the
top of the automatic injector to push the injector, if necessary,
into proper position within the container and to hold the injector
in place while in the container.
9. A container for receiving an automatic injector comprising: a
cylindrically-shaped, enclosed hollow body having an open end and a
closed opposite end, the open end sized to receive there through an
automatic injector, the automatic injector having a needle end, the
body sized and shaped to receive the automatic injector only needle
end first; and a cap comprising a top portion, a bottom portion,
and a hinge connecting the top and bottom portions, the bottom
portion affixed to the open end of the body and the top portion
sized and shaped to close the open end, the hinge comprising a
primary support and a secondary support, wherein the hinge:
automatically opens the top portion to an angle of at least about
115.degree. when the top portion is initially opened to an angle of
about 85.degree.-95.degree., and automatically closes the top
portion to an angle of at least about 30.degree. when the top
portion is initially closed to an angle of about
75.degree.-85.degree..
10. The container of claim 9 wherein the closed end comprises a
base having a raised middle portion to resist puncture through the
closed end by a needle.
11. The container of claim 9 wherein the cap has a vent hole.
12. The container of claim 9 wherein the body has a pair of
contoured areas positioned opposite each other on an exterior
surface of the body, the pair of contoured areas sized and shaped
to facilitate attachment to an attachment device.
13. The container of claim 12 wherein the attachment device holds
two of the containers together.
14. The container of claim 9 wherein the body has a pair of
contoured areas positioned opposite each other on an exterior
surface of the body, the pair of contoured areas sized and shaped
to facilitate grasping of the container by hand.
15. The container of claim 9 wherein the body is cylindrically-oval
shaped to prevent or inhibit the container from rolling on a
slightly inclined surface.
16. The container of claim 9 wherein the cap further comprises a
pair of ridges on the inside top portion of the cap to engage the
top of the automatic injector to push the injector, if necessary,
into proper position within the container and to hold the injector
in place while in the container.
17. A container for receiving an automatic injector comprising: a
cylindrically-shaped, enclosed hollow body having an open end and
an opposite end, the open end sized to receive there through an
automatic injector, the automatic injector having a needle end, the
body sized and shaped to receive the automatic injector only needle
end first, the body also having: a longitudinal rib extending along
an interior surface of the body to guide an automatic injector
inserted needle end first into and out of the body, a first pair of
contoured areas positioned opposite each other on an exterior
surface of the body, the first pair of contoured areas sized and
shaped to facilitate attachment to an attachment device, and a
second pair of contoured areas positioned opposite each other on
the exterior surface of the body, the second pair of contoured
areas sized and shaped to facilitate grasping of the container by
hand; and a cap comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a
hinge connecting the top and bottom portions, the bottom portion
affixed to the open end of the body and the top portion sized and
shaped to close the open end of the body, the cap having a front
and a back, the hinge located on the back of the cap, the front
bottom portion of the cap extending farther along the body in a
direction toward the opposite end than the back bottom portion of
the cap.
18. The container of claim 17 wherein the first pair of contoured
areas are positioned on the exterior surface somewhat higher than
midway between the open and opposite ends of the body.
19. The container of claim 17 wherein the second pair of contoured
areas are positioned on the exterior surface proximal the opposite
end of the body.
20. The container of claim 17 wherein at least a portion of the
body is transparent or translucent.
21. The container of claim 17 wherein the body inhibits
transmission there through of at least some wavelengths of
ultraviolet light.
22. The container of claim 17 wherein the container is formed from
a polymer or a polyester.
23. The container of claim 17 wherein the opposite end of the body
has a thicker body wall than the body wall of the remaining portion
of the body to resist puncture through the opposite end by a
needle.
24. The container of claim 17 wherein the opposite end of the body
comprises a base having a raised middle portion to resist puncture
by a needle through the opposite end.
25. The container of claim 17 wherein the body is
cylindrically-oval shaped to prevent or inhibit the container from
rolling on a slightly inclined surface.
26. The container of claim 17 wherein the cap provides for repeated
opening and closing of the open end of the body.
27. The container of claim 17 wherein the cap has a vent hole.
28. The container of claim 17 wherein the cap further comprises a
ridge located on the front top portion of the cap and a groove
located on the front bottom portion of the cap, the ridge operative
to snap-fit into the groove.
29. The container of claim 17 wherein the front bottom portion of
the cap has a contoured area to facilitate tactile identification
of the front of the cap.
30. The container of claim 17 wherein the open end of the body
extends beyond the bottom portion of the cap toward the top portion
of the cap.
31. The container of claim 17 wherein the hinge comprises a primary
support and a secondary support, the hinge automatically opening
the top portion to an angle of at least about 115.degree. when the
top portion is initially opened to an angle of about
85.degree.-95.degree..
32. The container of claim 17 wherein the hinge comprises a primary
support and a secondary support, the hinge automatically closing
the top portion to an angle of at least about 30.degree. when the
top portion is initially closed to an angle of about
75.degree.-85.degree..
33. The container of claim 17 wherein the hinge comprises a primary
support and a secondary support, the hinge automatically closing
the top portion to an almost-closed position that prevents the
injector from falling out of the container in response to the top
portion having been initially partially moved toward the closed
position.
34. The container of claim 17 wherein the cap further comprises a
pair of ridges on the inside top portion of the cap to engage the
top of the automatic injector to push the injector, if necessary,
into proper position within the container and to hold the injector
in place while in the container.
35. An automatic injector kit comprising: an automatic injector; a
container for receiving and enclosing therein the automatic
injector, and an attachment device comprising an S-shaped clip
having a first section, a middle section, and a second section, the
first and middle sections sized, shaped, and spaced apart to
securely hold the container between the first and middle sections,
and the middle and second sections sized, shaped, and spaced apart
to securely hold the container between the middle and second
sections; wherein: the container is securely held between the first
and middle section or the middle and second section.
36. The automatic injector kit of claim 35 wherein the container is
as claimed in claim 1.
37. The automatic injector kit of claim 35 wherein the container is
as claimed in claim 9.
38. The automatic injector kit of claim 35 wherein the container is
as claimed in claim 17.
39. The automatic injector kit of claim 35 wherein: the container
has a body having a pair of contoured areas positioned opposite
each other on an exterior surface of the body, the pair of
contoured areas sized and shaped to facilitate attachment to the
attachment device; and the first section of the attachment device
engages one of the pair of contoured areas and the middle section
engages the other of the pair of contoured areas.
40. The automatic injector kit of claim 35 further comprising a
second container wherein the S-shaped clip securely holds both the
first and second containers simultaneously, the first container
securely held between the first and middle sections, and the second
container securely held between the middle and second sections.
41. The automatic injector kit of claim 40 wherein: the second
container has a body having a pair of contoured areas positioned
opposite each other on an exterior surface of the body, the pair of
contoured areas sized and shaped to facilitate attachment to the
attachment device; and the middle section of the attachment device
engages one of the pair of contoured areas on the second container
and the second section engages the other of the pair of contoured
areas on the second container.
42. The automatic injector kit of claim 40 wherein the first and
second containers are held in the S-shaped clip such that both
containers are positioned right side up.
43. The automatic injector kit of claim 40 wherein the first and
second containers are held in the S-shaped clip such that each
container is positioned upside down with respect to the other.
44. The automatic injector kit of claim 40 wherein the first and
second containers are held in the S-shaped clip such that each
container faces a direction opposite the other container.
45. The automatic injector kit of claim 40 wherein the first and
second containers are held in the S-shaped clip such that each
container faces the same direction as the other container.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/925,283, filed Apr. 18, 2007, the entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference thereto.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to containers for carrying,
storing, and protecting automatic injectors. Specifically, the
invention relates to containers that allow users to open and close
the containers quickly and easily and to carry and store used and
unused automatic injectors safely. The invention also relates to an
attachment device for carrying two of the containers together.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many individuals unfortunately must carry medication with
them at all times. In some cases, the medication is contained in an
automatic injector. An automatic injector is a device that performs
intramuscular or subcutaneous administration of a therapeutic
agent. An advantage of automatic injectors is that they contain a
measured dose of a therapeutic agent in a sealed sterile cartridge.
Automatic injectors allow for quick and simple injection of the
therapeutic agent in emergency situations without the user having
to measure dosages or see the needle as the agent is being
injected. Automatic injectors are used, for example, to treat
anaphylactic (severe allergic) reactions and to administer
antidotes for certain poisons, such as chemical nerve gas.
[0004] In those cases where an automatic injector is carried by an
individual at all times, the injector is likely to be exposed to
various physical and environmental stresses that may damage the
injector or the therapeutic agent stored inside. For example,
exposure to heat and light may cause the therapeutic agent stored
inside the injector to degrade. Also, an automatic injector may
inadvertently activate if dropped or jostled. And once the
automatic injector has been discharged, exposure to the used needle
is a risk that should be prevented in those injectors that do not
have a needle cover to automatically extend over the used
needle.
[0005] Many automatic injectors are therefore stored, before and
after use, in a container referred to as a carry pack. In general,
there are two types of automatic injector carry packs. The first
type is a soft carry pack, usually made of neoprene or other soft
material. These carry packs are usually large in size and attach to
a belt or other item of clothing. To access the stored injector,
the user must unzip the carry pack. Unfortunately, many soft carry
packs are not puncture resistant and thus cannot be used to store a
discharged automatic injector with an exposed needle.
[0006] The second type of carry pack is a smaller, tube-shaped
container that can fit easily into an individual's pocket. The
tube-shaped containers are usually made of a rigid material and are
generally equipped with one of two types of caps. The first is a
screw cap which requires the user to unscrew the cap, and the
second is a push-cap which requires the user to remove the cap
completely from the body of the container.
[0007] These known automatic injector carry packs have the
disadvantage of requiring two hands to open the carry pack, whether
to unzip the carry pack or to unscrew or pull off the cap of the
carry pack. Such actions can be difficult or even impossible to
perform when a user is suffering from an attack and needs to
quickly access the automatic injector contained in the carry
pack.
[0008] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a container
that safely accommodates an automatic injector before and,
depending on the type of injector, after use and that allows a user
to easily and immediately access the injector contained
therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with the invention, containers for automatic
injectors store and protect the injectors from damage and protect
the therapeutic agent stored inside the injector from degradation
and contamination. Also, containers of the invention help prevent
the automatic injector stored therein from accidentally activating.
Furthermore, the containers allow the user or caregiver to quickly
open the container and remove the automatic injector stored therein
and then, depending on the type of automatic injector, safely store
a used injector with an exposed needle after use until proper
disposal can be made.
[0010] The automatic injector containers have a
cylindrically-shaped, enclosed hollow body having an open end and a
closed end opposite the open end. The closed end is preferably
puncture resistant, and the open end is sized to receive an
automatic injector there through. The body of the container
includes a lower portion extending from the puncture resistant end
that is preferably sized and shaped to receive only the needle end
of the injector.
[0011] The containers of the invention include a cap that has a top
portion, a bottom portion, and a hinge connecting the top and
bottom portions. The bottom portion is affixed to the open end of
the body and the top portion is sized and shaped to close the open
end of the body. The cap also has a front and a back, with the
hinge located on the back. The front bottom portion of the cap may
extend farther along the body in a direction toward the closed end
than the back bottom portion of the cap to facilitate tactile
identification of the front of the container.
[0012] The hinged cap advantageously allows the user or caregiver
to single-handedly open the container and access the automatic
injector. The hinged cap has automatic spring assist features that
help open and close the cap. When the user or caregiver applies
sufficient force to initially open the cap (i.e., unsnap the cap
from the container), the hinge causes the cap to automatically
spring farther open to a position that creates a clear path
unobstructed by the cap. This allows the automatic injector to be
easily and quickly removed (as compared to known containers where
unsnapping the cap only partially opens the cap, leaving the path
at least partially blocked by the cap). Additionally, when the user
or caregiver applies sufficient force to initially move an open cap
towards closure, the hinge causes the cap to automatically spring
farther to a partially-closed position that prevents the automatic
injector from falling out of the container, such as, for example,
when the container is tilted or held at an angle that would
otherwise allow the injector to slide or drop out of the
container.
[0013] Other advantageous features of the container include a body
that has a shape to (1) prevent or inhibit the container from
rolling on a slightly inclined surface and (2) receive the
automatic injector in preferably only one orientation--needle end
first. The body also has a puncture resistant bottom end to (1)
prevent an unused automatic injector from piercing the container
should it unintentionally activate while in the container and (2)
ensure that discharged automatic injectors with exposed needles can
be safely stored. In one embodiment, the puncture resistant end is
contoured in such a way as to bias the needle end of the automatic
injector off-center, thereby making the needle more likely to bend
or cripple than to penetrate the bottom end of the container.
[0014] In some embodiments, the body includes contours and textures
that make grasping and handling of the container easier and help
the user or caregiver identify the orientation of the container by
feel alone. The contours and textures may also help identify the
type of automatic injector stored inside the container and may help
differentiate between the packaging and the automatic injector
itself.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the containers
include a first pair of contoured areas and/or a second pair of
contoured areas on the exterior surface of the body. The first pair
of contoured areas are preferably positioned opposite each other on
the body and are sized and shaped to facilitate attachment to an
optional attachment device of the invention, which can be used to
attach pairs of automatic injector containers together and/or one
or more containers to an individual's belt, jacket, or other
article of clothing or personal possession (e.g., a backpack). The
second pair of contoured areas may also be positioned opposite each
other on the body and are sized and shaped to facilitate grasping
and/or orienting of the container by hand. Furthermore, the first
and second pairs of contoured areas are positioned preferably
opposite each on the body of the container.
[0016] The invention is also directed to automatic injector kits
that include an automatic injector, a container for the automatic
injector, and an attachment device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like
reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in
which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of an
automatic injector container according to the invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of
an automatic injector container according to the invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an opened cap attached
to a body of an automatic injector container;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an opened cap;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a top view of an opened cap;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the automatic injector
container of FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a body of an
automatic injector container;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a puncture
resistant bottom end of an automatic injector container;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an attachment device
according to the invention;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a container attached to an
attachment device; and
[0028] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of two containers attached to
an attachment device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Automatic injector containers of the invention can store
many types of automatic injectors, such as, for example, the
EPIPEN.RTM. automatic injectors by Meridian Medical Technologies.
Inc. Typical automatic injectors have a housing that contains a
cartridge. The cartridge has one or more chambers containing a
therapeutic agent. The housing has a needle end that usually
contains a needle assembly attached to a chamber. The housing also
has an activation end opposite the needle end that usually contains
an activation assembly. The activation assembly includes a stored
energy source such as a compressed spring. Activation of the
activation assembly typically causes a sequence of internal
movements within the housing that forces the needle into a user and
the therapeutic agent through the needle.
[0030] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an automatic injector
container according to the invention. Container 10 includes a
preferably cylindrically-shaped, enclosed body 12 and a cap 14.
Body 12 has an open end (not shown) covered by the cap and a
preferably puncture resistant bottom end 20 opposite the open end.
Body 12 preferably has a first pair of contoured areas 22
positioned opposite each other on the exterior surface 24 of body
12. Body 12 also preferably has a second pair of contoured areas 26
positioned opposite each other on exterior surface 24 (note that
only one of the second pair of contoured areas 26 is shown in FIG.
1). Contoured areas 22 and 26 are further preferably positioned
opposite each other on exterior surface 24. Body 12 has a
preferably cylindrically-oval shape to prevent or at least inhibit
container 10 from rolling on level and slightly inclined surfaces.
Alternatively, the body can be of other shapes including, but not
limited to, cylindrically-spherical, triangular, rectangular,
octagonal or other geometric shapes that prevent or inhibit
rolling.
[0031] Container 10 is sized to receive and enclose an automatic
injector therein. In some embodiments, the container is longer in
the longitudinal direction than an automatic injector received
therein. A user is then encouraged to tip the automatic injector
out of the container rather than reach into the container to grasp
the automatic injector. This is preferred because some automatic
injectors have a safety pin located at the end of the injector
nearest the open end of the container (i.e., opposite the needle
end). Thus by having the user or caregiver tip out the injector
from the container instead of reaching into the container to grasp
it, the chances of accidentally activating the automatic injector
are less.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of an automatic injector
container according to the invention. Container 10X, which is
substantially similar to container 10, also includes enclosed body
12, cap 14, puncture resistant end 20, and first pair of contoured
areas 22. However, unlike container 10, container 10X has a second
pair of differently shaped contoured areas 25 positioned opposite
each other on exterior surface 24. Contoured areas 25 do not extend
down to puncture resistant end 20 on the sides of the container
where contoured areas 22 are located as do contoured areas 26 of
container 10. This difference allows the thickness of the tube wall
section in those areas to be increased, which may help maintain
wall symmetry during a molding process of the container.
[0033] Cap 14 includes a top portion 30, a bottom portion 32, and a
hinge 34. Hinge 34 connects top portion 30 to bottom portion 32.
The cap has a front 16 and a back 18, and hinge 34 is located on
back 18 of cap 14. In certain embodiments, the back of cap 14 is
aligned longitudinally with one of the second pair of contoured
areas 25/26, and the front of cap 14 is aligned longitudinally with
the other of the second pair of contoured areas 25/26. Bottom
portion 32 is affixed to the top, open end of container 10/10X
(referred to collectively hereinafter as "the container" or just
"container 10"). The cap can be any shape, provided it uses the
hinge mechanism of the invention and securely attaches to (and in
some cases provides an airtight seal with) the body of the
container when closed. The front 16, bottom portion 32 of cap 14
preferably extends farther along body 12 in a direction toward
puncture resistant end 20 than the back 18, bottom portion 32 of
cap 14. Cap 14 also has a flap 35 located on the front 16, top
portion 30 and has a contoured area 38 located on the front 16,
bottom portion 32. Contoured area 38 allows the user to identify
the front of the cap, as well as easily engage the flap to open the
cap for easy access or disposal of an automatic injector. Also,
such a feature advantageously allows the user to single-handedly
open the container for access or disposal of an automatic
injector.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows cap 14 in an open position. Bottom portion 32
of the cap is affixed to open end 36 of body 12. In some
embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, open end 36 extends beyond (i.e.,
above) bottom portion 32 of cap 14. This extension protects the
automatic injector from accidental activation while cap 14 is
opened or closed. A rim 40 located on the front 16, top portion 30
of the cap snap-fits into a groove 42 located on the front 16,
bottom portion 32 of the cap. Other fastening mechanisms can be
used provided that they secure the top portion of the cap to the
bottom portion of the cap so the container body is closed and in
some cases sealed. Cap 14 advantageously provides for repeated
opening and closing of open end 36 of body 12.
[0035] In accordance with the invention, the spring assist feature
of the hinge provides the cap with an automatic spring-open state
and an automatic spring-almost-closed state. The spring-open state
allows the automatic injector to be easily removed from the
container. because the injector is not obstructed by the top
portion of the cap when the cap is in the spring-open state. The
spring-almost-closed state prevents the injector from falling out
of the container, such as, for example, when the top of the
container is tipped downward or while a person holding or carrying
the container is running or otherwise moving. because the position
of the cap in the almost-closed state blocks the exit path of the
injector.
[0036] FIG. 4 shows the cap in an open state. Hinge 34 includes a
primary support 50 and a secondary support 54. Once the angle
between the bottom portion 32 and top portion 30 of the cap
increases to about 85.degree.-95.degree., such as when a user
initially opens the cap by unsnapping the top portion from the
bottom portion, the top portion of the cap will over-center the
hinge causing the top portion to automatically spring farther open
to an angle of at least 115.degree., and more preferably to about
125.degree.-135.degree., without further action by the user.
Conversely, once the angle between the bottom portion and top
portion of the cap decreases to about 75.degree.-850, such as when
a user begins to close an open cap, the top portion of the cap will
over-center the hinge causing the top portion to automatically
spring farther closed to an angle of at least 300, and more
preferably to about 150-25.degree., without further action by the
user.
[0037] Additionally, in some embodiments, when the cap is closed
(i.e., snapped shut), the container is not air tight (i.e., not
hermetically sealed). In some of these embodiments, the cap
includes a vent hole. FIG. 5 shows an open cap 14 with top portion
30, bottom portion 32, and hinge 34 with primary support 50 and
secondary support 54. Cap 14 has a vent hole 48 located on hinge
34. A vent hole allows the container to vent and alleviate any
pressure that may build up within the container, as well as prevent
any volatiles that may be present from affecting the therapeutic
agent in the injector. The vent hole can be alternatively located
on other areas of the cap, such as on the top or bottom portion of
the cap or on the body of the injector container. Also, containers
of the invention may have more than one vent hole.
[0038] The cap preferably include features to prevent an automatic
injector from rattling (i.e., moving freely) within the container.
As shown in FIG. 5, cap 14 preferably has two internal walls or
ridges 56. As the cap is closed, ridges 56 contact the top of the
automatic injector and, if needed, push the injector fully into
position in the container. When the cap is closed, internal walls
56 continue to contact the top of the automatic injector to secure
the position of the injector within the container and prevent the
injector from moving around within the closed container.
[0039] FIG. 6 shows body 12 of the container. Body 12 is a
cylindrically-shaped, enclosed hollow structure with an exterior
surface 24, an open end 36 and a puncture resistant end 20 opposite
the open end. Open end 36 is sized to receive an automatic injector
there through. The lower portion of the body extending from the
puncture resistant end is preferably sized and shaped to receive
only the needle end of the automatic injector. Thus, the automatic
injector can only be fully received within the container if
properly oriented needle end first when inserted. This advantageous
feature helps avoid injury or contamination by preventing a user
from first handling the needle end of the injector upon removal
from the container or from handling the needle end upon return of
the used injector back into the container.
[0040] Located on exterior surface 24 of body 12 is at least one
contoured area. As shown in FIG. 6, body 12 has a first pair of
contoured areas 22 positioned opposite each other on exterior
surface 24 (note that only one of the first pair of contoured areas
is shown). Contoured areas 22 are sized and shaped to facilitate
attachment to an attachment device and are positioned on exterior
surface 24 preferably somewhat higher than midway between open end
36 and puncture resistant end 20. The body also includes a second
pair of contoured areas 25 positioned opposite each other on
exterior surface 24 of body 12 (note also that only one of the
second pair of contoured areas is shown). Contoured areas 25 are
positioned on exterior surface 24 preferably proximal to puncture
resistant end 20 and are sized and shaped to facilitate grasping of
the container by hand. In some embodiments, the contoured areas can
have different textures than the rest of the body. For example, the
second pair of contoured areas can have a rougher texture than
other areas of the body. Varying the texture can increase tactility
and help encourage grip. Also, varying the texture can prevent the
user or caregiver from becoming confused between the packaging and
the injector. For example, rough or "sparked" areas (that create,
e.g., a frosted finish) can obscure or blur the label of the
automatic injector itself and thus make the user or caregiver aware
that the container is not the automatic injector and that the
injector is inside the container. FIG. 6 also shows another
contoured area 60 located adjacent open end 36 of body 12.
Contoured area 60 enables the bottom portion of the cap to securely
attach to the body.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, puncture resistant end 20 preferably has
a base 64 with a raised middle portion 65. This form of puncture
resistant end causes the needle end of an automatic injector to be
off center. Off centering the needle end of the injector weakens
the puncturing force of the needle, thus the needle is more likely
to bend and/or cripple than penetrate the container. The base of
the puncture resistant end may be alternatively of other shapes
that cause the needle end of the automatic injector to be
off-center. For example, the base can include raised portions,
peaks, troughs, dimples, or rough textures. Additionally or
alternatively, the puncture resistant end may have a body wall
thicker than the rest of the body. The body wall of the puncture
resistant end should be thick enough to withstand the force of a
needle driven by an inadvertent activation of an automatic injector
inside the container (i.e., thick enough to prevent the needle from
piercing through the puncture resistant end as the needle extends
outward from the injector under the force of the injector's
activation assembly). The increased thickness of the body wall at
the puncture resistant end can be formed by the same material as
the body or, alternatively, the increased thickness may be formed
by an insert made of a different material than the body.
[0042] As also shown in FIG. 7, body 12 preferably includes
additional features such as at least one internal rib 66 that
extends longitudinally from open end 36 toward puncture resistant
end 20. Rib 66 provides clearance for a safety pin or release of an
automatic injector (i.e., so the safety pin or release is not
dislodged by the wall of the container as the injector is inserted)
and ensures correct alignment when inserting the injector into the
container. Rib 66 also prevents the automatic injector from moving
within the container. Rib 66 further allows the automatic injector
to safely and easily slide into and out of the container by
reducing drag, friction, and/or snagging.
[0043] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of puncture resistant end 20 of
body 12 that includes a pair of ridges 68. Ridges 68 advantageously
protect the components of an automatic injector stored within the
container from shock loads.
[0044] FIG. 9 shows an optional attachment device of the invention
that can be used to hold together a pair of injector containers.
The attachment device is an S-shaped clip 100 having a first
section 110, a middle section 120 and a second section 130. The
first section 110 and middle section 120 are sized, shaped and
spaced apart from each other such that a container can be securely
held via a friction fit between the first and middle sections. The
middle and second sections 120, 130 are also sized, shaped and
spaced apart from each other such that a container can be securely
held via a friction fit between the middle and second sections. In
particular, the spacings between sections are slightly less than
the width of the container, thus requiring the sections to be
flexed apart somewhat when attaching the container. The clip has a
spring-like resiliency that holds the container(s) securely in
place. The attachment device may be formed from any suitable
material that permits clip 100 to flex and engage the side of the
container with a friction fit. Moreover, the first and middle
sections 110, 120 may have a different radius of curvature than
that of the containers. The different radiuses of curvature between
the first and middle sections 110, 120 and the containers allow
clip 100 to engage a container with minimal contact between the
first and middle sections 110, 120 and the containers. Such minimal
contact reduces the likelihood that first section 110 and middle
section 120 will scratch the contours of the container. The same is
preferably true for the radiuses of curvature of the middle and
second sections 120, 130.
[0045] The overall "S" shape of the clip reduces the amount of
force needed to remove a container from the clip, as compared to a
more conventional double C-clip. The "S" shape of the clip allows
the containers to act as levers, making removal of the containers
easy. Additionally, texture on the outer surface of the attachment
device makes the device easy to grip and preferably encourages
users to replace the containers in the attachment device once the
automatic injector has been used. The attachment device can also
include a suitable attachment assembly for carrying the device on a
belt or otherwise securing the device to an article of clothing or
personal possession, such as a back or fanny pack.
[0046] FIG. 10 shows one container secured within an attachment
device. Container 10X is securely held via a friction fit between
the first and middle sections of S-clip 100. First section 110
engages one of the contoured areas 22 of container 10 and middle
section 120 engages the other contoured area 22.
[0047] FIG. 11 shows a first container and a second container
secured within an attachment device. First container 150 and second
container 160 are securely held via respective friction fits within
S-clip 100 simultaneously. First container 150 is held between
first section 110 and middle section 120 of S-clip 100. First
section 110 engages one of the pair of contoured areas 122 of first
container 150 and middle section 120 engages the other contoured
area 122. Second container 160 is held between middle section 120
and second section 130 of S-clip 100. Middle section 120 engages
one of the pair of contoured areas 124 of container 160 and second
section 130 engages the other contoured area 124.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 11, first and second containers 150,160 are
held in S-shaped clip 100 such that respective caps 152 and 162 of
first 150 and second 160 containers are adjacent to each other.
Also, first and second containers 150, 160 are held in the S-shaped
clip such that hinge 154 of first container cap 152 faces a
direction opposite the direction in which hinge 164 of second
container cap 162 faces. Alternatively, the first and second
containers can be held in the S-shaped clip such that the hinge of
the first container faces the same direction as the hinge of the
second container cap. Further still, the first and second
containers can be held upside down with respect to each other. In
any case, both containers can be advantageously opened and closed
without having to remove the container from the S-clip.
[0049] The containers of the invention can be made of any suitable
material. Suitable materials include those that can form a
container as described herein and that will safely contain an
automatic injector before and, depending on the size and type of
injector, after use. Suitable materials include, but are not
limited to, polymers. Suitable polymers include, but are not
limited to, polyurethanes, polyisobutylene and its copolymers,
silicones, polyethylenes and polyesters. Other suitable polymers
include polyolefins, polyisobutylene, ethylene-alphaolefin
copolymers, acrylic polymers and copolymers, vinyl halide polymers
and copolymers such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl ethers such as
polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinylidene halides such as
polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylidene chloride,
polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl ketones, polyvinyl aromatics such as
polystyrene, polyvinyl esters such as polyvinyl acetate: copolymers
of vinyl monomers, copolymers of vinyl monomers and olefins such as
ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile-styrene
copolymers, ABS resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers,
polyamides such as Nylon 66 and polycaprolactone, alkyd resins,
polycarbonates, polyoxyethylenes, polyimides, polyethers, epoxy
resins, polyurethanes, rayon-triacetate, cellulose, cellulose
acetate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose acetate butyrate,
cellophane, cellulose nitrate, cellulose propionate, cellulose
ethers, carboxymethyl cellulose, collagens, chitins, polylactic
acid, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid-polyethylene oxide
copolymers and combinations of the foregoing.
[0050] The cap and body of the containers can be made of the same
or different materials. For example, in some embodiments, the cap
may be made of polypropylene and the container may be made of
polyester or poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET).
[0051] Additionally, the cap and body of the containers are
preferably made of a material capable of blocking, absorbing or
otherwise inhibiting the transmission of at least some wavelengths
of ultraviolet (UV) light. For example, a UV absorbing agent can be
added to the polymer from which the cap and the container are
formed. UV blocking or absorbing capability helps to ensure that
the therapeutic agent within the automatic injector is not degraded
or otherwise compromised by exposure to UV light, even if the
container is significantly light permeable.
[0052] The containers of the invention may also be made of a
transparent, translucent or opaque material, or any combination
thereof. For example, the caps of the containers can be made from
an opaque, colored material. Using colored caps can help a user or
caregiver easily identify which type of automatic injector is in
which container. Additionally, the body can be a combination of
transparent material and translucent material. Transparent material
can form windows through the container so that the user can (1)
identify what type of automatic injector is in the container, (2)
determine whether it has been used and/or (3) read the instructions
on the injector.
[0053] The containers of the invention may also serve as product
packaging for an automatic injector and can thus be distributed
with an automatic injector inside. Additionally, the exterior
surfaces of the body of the containers, as well as the caps of the
containers can be used for product labeling, usage directions, or
other necessary indicia. Such labeling can be printed on labels and
then affixed to the containers or printed or otherwise directly
imposed on the surfaces of the containers during manufacture. For
example, transparent windows can be used as branding areas to
display trademarks or other branding materials.
[0054] Also, translucent textured material may be used to form
particular portions of the container, such as, for example, the
contoured areas where the user is most likely to grasp or hold the
container. Using a textured surface on portions of the container
increases the user's ability to grasp and hold on to the
container.
[0055] Containers of the invention may have other useful features.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 10, and 11, body 12 may have a pair of
oppositely positioned semi-spherical nubs 27 on the lower portion
of exterior surface 24 (note that, because of the particular views
shown, only one nub is seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 10, and 11). Nubs 27
help prevent the containers from nesting or interlocking with other
containers during manufacturing, assembly, and packaging.
[0056] The invention has been described in connection with the
preferred embodiments. These embodiments, however, are merely
examples, and the invention is not limited to them. It will be
understood by those skilled in the art that other variations and
modifications can be easily made within the scope of the invention
and that the invention is limited by only the following claims.
* * * * *